African violets are one of the easiest plants to grow at home. They require little maintenance, are easy to care for and produce a lot of flowers. They also make a great cut flower.
Many people have asked us how big can grow African violets get? We’ve learned a lot about these plants over the years, and we’d like to share what we know with you.
In this post, we’ll teach you how to grow big African violets as well as many other tips about this plant.
Let’s get started!
How Big Can African Violets Get?
African violet can reach up to 8 inches in length and 16 inches in diameter, depending on the variant and the growing environment.
African violet comes in a multitude of variants, those variants can be grouped into four main categories. The large, the standard, the semi-miniature, and the miniature African violet. In Each category, the plant will reach a specific size when it becomes fully mature.
For example, the large African violet is the biggest one and can reach 16 inches in diameter. These plants have the largest leaves and the biggest flowers.
The standard African violet is the most common of all types of violets. They can reach 6 to 8 inches tall and about 12 inches in diameter.
Some of the smaller variations are called the semi-miniature, the miniature, and the micro-miniature. They are considered to be more delicate than large plants and have smaller flowers and leaves. They are usually very small plants and can grow to only about 2 to 4 inches tall. They can be grown indoors or outdoors. Because of their size, they are more suitable for indoor planting than outdoor.
The size that your African violet will reach after maturation depends also on environmental conditions and the care protocol. These plants require warm temperatures, high humidity, and consistent exposure to bright indirect sunlight.
Additionally, the right pot, soil, and fertilizer are crucial if you want to get a big African violet.
Let’s discover how to grow big African violets!
Click here to check our latest article about soil acidity preferences for an African violet.
How Do You Grow Big African Violets?
To grow big African violet, you should start by a cutting or a seed that was obtained from a large plant and try to mimic the conditions of the native habitat of this plant. Generally, if you provide bright indirect sunlight, temperature between 60 and 80°F, and humidity around 80%, African violet will grow big and reach its full potential.
Here are all the actions that you should take in order to get a giant African violet:
Proper Lighting
The plant’s size is determined by how much light it receives. African violet needs to receive at least six hours of bright but indirect sunlight a day. If it receives less than six hours of light, it will not reach its full potential.
The best spot that offers optimum lighting for African violet is near a south-facing window or balcony.
If sunlight is not available consistently where you live you can still grow big African violets indoors using artificial light. Just make sure you are placing the artificial light source a few inches above the plant to prevent leaf burn.
When using artificial light, you may also want to consider using fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs. The latter produce too much heat and thus may harm your plants. Additionally, make sure the light intensity is positioned as low as possible to avoid burning the plants.
Are you interested in using LED lights for African violet? Read this article before doing so.
High Humidity
High humidity is also important for African violets. The plant will not grow well if it receives less than 50% relative humidity (moisture content).
Plant growers recommend a humidity level between 65% and 80%. When the humidity is within this interval, the African violets will never feel stressed and will focus all their energy on growing big leaves.
To maintain a high humidity level on a consistent basis, you will need to use a humidifier. This device is designed to bring moisture back into the air.
If you don’t have a humidifier try to periodically mist your plants with water or place a pebble tray filled with water near your plant.
Warm Temperature
The optimal temperature for growing healthy African violets is between 60 and 80 degrees F. If the temperature gets below this level, the plant may experience leaf discoloration and stunted growth.
In extreme cases when the weather starts freezing, African violet may die.
In order to keep this plant warm during winter, you may need to use a special device such as a heating mat. Be sure to place the mat around the base of the plant in order to keep the roots warm as well.
Another option for keeping African violet warm, if you live in a cold area, is using a greenhouse. It provides the perfect environment for plants to thrive in, keeping them safe from harsh winter winds and cold temperatures.
Are you dealing with a leggy African violet? Read this article to discover how to fix this issue.
Well Draining Soil
A soil mix that offers good drainage is mandatory for growing healthy and big African violet. If you grow this plant in soil that holds water for a long time, the roots will rot which will stunt the growth of the leaves and stems.
Well-draining soil allows water to move through your plant more quickly so that it does not remain in one spot. This helps prevent the risk of soil compaction and root suffocation.
The soil should never be completely compacted, but should instead have room to breathe. Compaction occurs when the soil becomes compressed and loses its ability to absorb water and nutrients. This can result in your plant experiencing nutrient deficiencies, and even diseases.
Adding peat moss to the soil mix will help your African violet plant stay healthy by allowing excess moisture to drain into the ground and providing enough air space to promote root growth.
The Right Pot
African violet will grow fully in pots that have drainage holes and are made of a porous material. This kind of pot allows the plant to breathe freely and the water to drain away easily.
African violets do well in clay and ceramic pots but you can still use plastic pots if they have drainage holes in the bottom.
In case you only have a plastic pot that does not have drainage holes, you can dig a few holes in the bottom of it and use it. Try to use a drill with a small bit and create a few holes directly through the bottom of the pot.
This is a temporary solution until you have found a clay or ceramic pot.
Fertilizing
To help African violet reach its full growth potential you will need to fertilize it regularly. This plant should be fertilized every 4 to 6 weeks all year long.
Liquid and soluble fertilizers are both recommended for African violet. Liquid fertilizers are applied directly to the soil and can penetrate deeper. As a result, they get absorbed quickly by the plant.
Soluble fertilizers come in a solid form and are mixed with water before application. This kind of fertilizer is commonly used for new African violets, while liquid fertilizers can be applied when the plant gets mature and established.
When choosing a fertilizer for African violet, you will find many recommended NPK ratios for this plant. Here at the GardeningTalk, we recommend a fertilizer with 15-20% Nitrogen, 4-5% phosphorus and 5-7% Potassium.
Fertilizers with other NPK ratios may also work, just make sure that you follow the instructions of the manufacturer in order to avoid causing any damage to the plant.
Did your African violet change color recently? Here is a quick explanation and fix to this problem.
